Key operated turnstile



g 29, 1967 c. c. HOFFBLERGER u., ETAL 3,

KEY OPERATED TURNSTILE Filed Oct. 24, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V 7 IO INVENTORS Charles C.Hoffberger,l1 & Alan D. Hofiberger ATTORNEYS i 29, 1967 c. c. HOFFBERGER ETAL 3,338,365

KEY OPERATED TURNSTILE Filed Oct. 24, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Charles C. Hofibergm, Alan D. Hoffiberges' Fm? BY'wwzm/wl ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,338,365 KEY OPERATED TURNSTILE Charles C. Hotfberger II, and Alan D. Hotfberger, both of 7803 Crossland Road, Baltimore, Md. 21208 Filed Oct. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 588,988 6 Claims. (Cl. 194-4) This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 560,186, filed June 24, 1966, and entitled Vending Machine.

In the referred to application, the same principle as here involved is utilized. Such scheme involves the use of a destructible key, and in the said application, and as a specific mode of operation, electrical means are used to activate mechanism to destroy the key after the latter has been once used to actuate the unlocking mechanism. That system is obviously applicable to the turnstile type of device used for the admission of patrons one at a time. The instant invention represents an improvement over that found in the said copending application in that here the combination has beenspecifically devised for use in turnstiles and represents an extremely simplified me-- chanical arrangement, the key destroying means being placed in operation by the patrons passage through the stile, the turning of the latter causing the key to be brought to bear against a knife means, resulting in cutting the key in half.

In other words, this invention is adaptable to almost any type of turnstile known to the art, such being in common use at admission gates of all kinds and involving such matters as parking lots, transportation media, theaters, exhibitions, amusement parks, athletic contests, et cetera. As stated, the invention obviates the present method of actuation of such a turnstile involving the insertion of a coin or token, or payment in coin or ticket to an attendant who then releases the turnstile arm.

The instant invention is designed so that the turnstile arms are in a locked position and cannot be turned until and unless a properly coded key is inserted in the key-barrel. The insertion of the proper key in the key-barrel will simultaneously remove a spring loaded solid metal bar which, because of the absence of cuts or grooves formed therein, as in the key, prevents the turning of the turnstile itself. However, when the proper key is inserted, i.e., a key having the appropriate keyway combinations which are complementary to configurations formed in the barrel of the lock mechanism, then, and on pressure being exerted against the turnstile arm, the revolving key-barrel is permitted to make a 120 revolution, the key is severed, and that portion of the key which was in the interior section of the barrel immediately fall into an appropriate container. When the rotating barrel proceeds to its position, the aforementioned solid metal bar, being spring biased, returns to its original locking position, thus preventing the turnstile from again being turned until another coded key is inserted.

By the use of such a key operated mechanism the arrangement represent a self operating device for the key represents a ticket and can be purchased in advance, or a number of keys can be purchased in advance, for use, as an example, in such mechanisms as control of ingress and egress of patrons or customer to a given area. Of course, the same assembly can be utilized to control a gate substantially larger than that of a turnstile, thus eliminating the necessity of an attendants presence.

It is, accordingly, a primary object of the invention to provide a key controlled turnstile, the key being of a destructible type, the operation or rotation of the turnstile, after being unlocked, resulting in a necessary destruction or mutilation of the key, thus permitting the key to be used only one time by a single patron.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a device of the described type that represents an extreme in simplicity. The mechanical assembly involves but very few moving parts, is reliable in operation, and because of such inherent simplicity represents a low cost item to manufacture. Further, the control mechanism is readily attachable to standard and known types of turnstile arrangements already in use and known to the art.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a turnstile operating mechanism utilizing a destructible key Where such key is precoded and the lock mechanism is so fashioned to match that code that the turnstile cannot be caused to operate by unauthorized persons, as by the use of metal objects which could conceivably be inserted in the keyway opening in the barrel to depress the lock means. In this regard such objects would encounter the key destroying knife or guillotine, and the latter, being unable to cut through materials of this nature, would not permit rotation of the turnstile to the'required degree so as to enable entrance.

In this latter respect the key, as with the key described in-the referred to copending application, is fabricated of such synthetic or other materials as to impart to it a predetermined strength and a predetermined thickness et cetera, which will permit the knife to efiiciently slice therethrough without undue difiiculty upon movement of the turnstile arms the required Other advantages and objectives of the invention will be understood from the following more detailed description thereof, made with reference to the appended drawings, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of the invention as positioned in the stated environment, located near a rotatable turnstile and connected thereto by suitable gear- FIGURE 2 is illustrative of the type of key formation suitable for use in the involved invention, this formation exhibiting keyway configurations on one side thereof, as

Well as (in this view) on the bottom, such configurations being designed to match a corresponding stationary keyway member and also the side ridges of complementary shape formed in the keyway barrel;

FIGURE 2A is a side view of the key shown in FIG- URE 2, further illustrating the side grooves designed to interfit with the ridges in the keyway barrel;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the arrangement of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a section view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of the invention as shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a section view taken on line 66 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a section view takenon the line 77 of FIGURE 5, illustrating the turnstile arm locking means in locked position;

FIGURE 8 is a section view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 5, also illustrating the turnstile arm locking means in locked position;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, and partially in section, indicating the alternate position of the locking detent, the latter here being depressed by the destructible key so that such spring 'biased detent clears the barrel and permits the latter, and of course the turnstile, to turn the required amount;

FIGURE 10 is a section view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing how the severed portion of the key is permitted to be discharged downwardly into a suitable container, upon being pushed through the barrel by an entering key a sufficient distance for this to occur.

Referring more particularly to these several views of the invention, the type of key here contemplated is shown in FIGURES 2 and 2A. Made of plastic, fiberboard or other suitable material sufficiently strong for the purposes herein mentioned, but also of a thickness and design to be easily fractured or cut by a knife or equivalent means for this purpose, the key, generally indicated at 1, contains lower indentations, notches or grooves 2 adapted to interfit with a like configuration in a stationary keyway to be described. This key member also is grooved upon its reverse side, as by grooves 3, which grooves similarly are adapted to interfit with complementary ridges in the rotatable barrel of the lock device. The dotted line 5 indicates an added configuration to the key 1 which may be used, if desired. The enlarged circular appendage 5 may contain additional information useful to the customer, and in this regard when the key is severed the remaining portion can be withdrawn by the patron and kept for purposes of identification or, as indicated, for rendering immediate information as to seat number in a conveyance or in places of amusement, as a theater, et cetera.

The invention, as indicated above, is adaptable to any usual type of turnstile, as shown generally at 6 in FIG- URE 1, where the unit of the invention is diagrammatically illustrated in its environment in this regard. The turnstile 6 is provided with an interconnecting linkage indicated by the dotted line 7, such linkage including the usual universal joint to accommodate the angular position of the linkage (not shown). Such linkage is interconnected through two pinion gears 8 and 10 to the lock mechanism generally indicated at 15, the arrangement being such that turnstile 6 can only turn when a proper and precoded key is inserted in the key barrel to release the lock means, thus permitting rotation of the turnstile arm 120, with such rotation severing the key in half.

The turnstile is of course disposed in an cntranceway, as represented by the opening between the walls and 22. As here shown the rotatable axis of the unit is angled at about 45 to the horizontal, with the upper and closing arm resting approximately in horizontal position and blocking the opening.

The drive pinion 10 is suitably mounted upon shaft and secured in such position as shown in FIGURE 5 by a set screw 26, or other usual means. The shaft 25 is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing support 27. Such shaft is integrally formed with an enlarged portion representing a rotatable barrel means 30, the latter, at its opposite end being also rotatably supported in a suitable bearing means 31 aflixed to the front plate 32.

The rotatable barrel means is provided with three longitudinal slots as indicated in FIGURE 6, such slots being spaced 120 from each other. Each of these slots or keyways in the barrel means is formed with longitudinal ridges 38 of the same configuration as grooves 3 in the key, thus permitting entry of a precoded key having grooves complementary to that shape.

There is also a stationary keyway 40 and this is secured in any suitable fashion as by bolts 42 in a fixed position. The stationary keyway 40 is provided with ridges and grooves 46 that match the ridges 2 of the key; in this regard only such a precoded key will permit turning of the barrel means for if an unmatched key is inserted then the stationary member 40 will also prevent rotation. It is also obvious that the member can constitute a series of reciprocating falls, positioned in line with the look member such that only a precoded key matching said falls or detents can gain entry into the barrel, thus to depress lock member 45.

A lock means is also utilized to assure non rotation of the turnstile by locking the rotatable barrel in a fixed position and such lock means takes the form of the referred to pin or metal bar 45 adapted to sequentially interfit into one of the three keyway slots 33, 34 and 35. As shown in FIGURES 5, 7 and 8, the bar 45 is in the lock position, i.e., extended forwardly so that it sets within one of the referred to keyway grooves. In this position, rotation is prevented.

The pin or bar 45 is provided with a suitable rear circular flange 48 and the latter is reciprocally positioned within an appropriate bore 50 formed within the support of the member 27. A helical bias spring 52 is mounted over shaft 55, the latter formed integrally with the pin or barrel member 45, this spring bias means 52 bearing against threaded closure member 58 on the one hand and collar 48 on the other. Such closure member :53 may take the form of a set screw, as shown in FIGURE 5. Thus, the pin member 45 is constantly urged outwardly to that position shown in FIGURES 5 and 8, this being the locked position. However, when a key having the proper configuration or code is inserted in the barrel means through opening 60, formed in the plate 30, and to the extent shown in FIGURE 9, the pin 45 is depressed, so that the inner face thereof is flush with the surface of the support member 27. When in this position the pin 45 is of course out of contact with any one of the locking grooves and rotation to the next locking groove is permitted, the pin riding on the back surface 59 of the barrel 30 until it encounters the next locking groove, as slot or groove 34 in the barrel.

Such rotation results in the destruction of the key, when so inserted, by its segmentation by a suitable cutting means. The latter accomplishes this function in the following fashion:

The barrel means is provided with a suitable radial slot 62. A cutter 65, mounted upon or formed integrally with the stationary keyway 40 fits within this groove 62 and as particularly shown in FIGURES 3 and 9. The knife edge of this cutter means is on the opposite side of the latter as depicted in these figures. Thus, when a key is inserted as shown in FIGURE 9, the pin 45 is not only depressed to permit rotation of the barrel, but the key is positioned just in front of the cutter 65, each side of the key being firmly supported by the sidewalls of the particular involved slot, as slots 33, 34 and 35. As the customer or patron insertsthe key and enters the turnstile 6 with consequent rotation of the turnstile arm the barrel means is rotated and the key brought to bear firmly against the cutter 65, the key thus being severed or cut in half, depression of member 45 by the key permitting rotation of the barrel.

Referring of FIGURE 11, these two portions of the key are here identified as A and B. The inner, or A portion, upon being severed from the B portion in the manner heretofore indicated falls out of the barral means and into an appropriate container. Portion B remains in the position shown in FIGURE 9. Rotary movement, however, has carried the involved slot in the barrel means, as slot 33, past the locking pin 45 and thus rotation is permitted until pin 45 encounters the next slot, as 34. Here, because of its spring bias constantly urging it out of the bore 50, the pin engages the next slot 34, and further rotation is thus prevented, the turnstile being so locked until insertion of another key by a following patron or customer.

When the latter inserts an additional key into the barrel keyway the severed portion B, cut in the previous operation, is pushed inwardly and to such extent that it drops out of the keyway in the barrel means. This result is depicted in FIGURE 11.

By reference to FIGURE 10 this function is further demonstrated. Here the cutting element 65 is indicated immediately before the key which has been inserted into slot 33 of the barrel. A clockwise rotation, as indicated in this figure, forces the key past the blade 65 and thus the key is severed into two portions. The severed portion A, indicated in dotted line, then falls out of the slot, as indicated, and as explained in the foregoing the severed portion B falls out of such slot when another key is inserted and pushed inwardly in the manner indicated in FIGURE 11.

As indicated, this entire combination of elements is far simpler in construction and operation than devices heretofore known for gate control purposes. The relatively few moving parts here involved lends durability and efiiciency to the unit; and of course the mechanism is readily adaptable to almost any type of gate closure, whether the same be of the turnstile type or not.

Although other alternates and variables of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description of same, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited except as circumscribed by the several limitations found in the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. In a lock mechanism utilizing a coded destructible key, a gate member mounted upon a rotatable shaft, a key barrel means in operative engagement with said shaft and adapted to be rotated thereby, a slot in said barrel, said slot providing a keyway for said key, means to lock said keyway against rotation of said barrel releasable upon insertion of said key in said keyway, and knife means adjacent said stationary keyway adapted to sever said key upon rotation of said barrel by rotation of said gate member.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein is provided a plurality of said gate members and a number of slots equal in number to said gate members, each of said gate members being locked by said locking means after rotation of said barrel sufiicient for said locking means to engage a succeeding slot.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a bar member spring biased toward said slot, said keyway therein being of that length to permit withdrawal of said bar member upon insertion of said coded destructible key.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein a transverse radial groove is provided intermediate the length of said barrel and intersecting said slot, said knife means being positioned within said slot.

5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein a transverse radial groove is provided in said barrel and intersecting each of said slots, a stationary keyway is positioned adjacent said barrel, said keyway being coded to match said key, and said knife means is positioned within said radial groove.

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein is provided a plurality of gate members and an equal number of slots, said barrel having a transverse radial groove, said knife means being stationary and positioned so as to extend into said radial groove.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1965 Maxwell et al. "194-4 5/1966 Bass 194 4 

1. IN A LOCK MECHANISM UTILIZING A CODED DESTRUCTIBLE KEY, A GATE MEMBER MOUNTED UPON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, A KEY BARREL MEANS IN OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SHAFT AND ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED THEREBY, A SLOT IN SAID BARREL, SAID SLOT PROVIDING A KEYWAY FOR SAID KEY, MEANS TO LOCK SAID KEYWAY AGAINST ROTATION OF SAID BARREL RELEASABLE UPON INSERTION OF SAID KEY IN SAID KEYWAY, AND KNIFE MEANS ADJACENT SAID STATIONARY KEYWAY ADAPTED TO SEVER SAID KEY UPON ROTATION OF SAID BARREL BY ROTATION OF SAID GATE MEMBER. 